It's not even March yet, and already the trees are beginning to leave in Hannoversch Muenden, Germany. This one was tethered to an unseen helicopter.

Photo: Uwe Zucchi, AFP/Getty Images

It's not even March yet, and already the trees are beginning to...

It's not even March yet, and already the trees are beginning... Photo-4253220.57533 - SFGate

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Love your shoes: Every month or so the animals of Happy Tails Entertainment visit Adante Senior Living in San Antonio. They never fail to cheer up the seniors, despite Baako's foot fetish.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Love your shoes: Every month or so the animals of Happy Tails...

Love your shoes: Every month or so the animals of Happy Tails... Photo-4257767.57533 - SFGate

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Norwegians are so good at concealing their emotions: But how do you really feel about winning gold in the women's 10k Free at the Nordic Ski Worlds, Therese Johaug? (Val di Fiemme, Italy.)

Photo: Matthias Schrader, Associated Press

Norwegians are so good at concealing their emotions: But how do you...

Norwegians are so good at concealing their emotions: But how do... Photo-4257794.57533 - SFGate

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Enjoy messing with your pet's head? Think delayed gratification is a virtue? Hide your pooch's treats in this interactive maze feeder by The Company of Animals, LLC, to engage his mind and make the reward more satisfying! Just think how much more you would enjoy M&Ms if you had to eat them through a storm grate.

Across three centuries: At 114, Japan's Misao Okawa is the oldest woman in the world, according to Guinness. She was presented with her official world record certificate at a nursing home in Osaka.

Photo: Itsuo Inouye, Associated Press

Across three centuries: At 114, Japan's Misao Okawa is the oldest...

Across three centuries: At 114, Japan's Misao Okawa is the... Photo-4257770.57533 - SFGate

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A mobster's 'pets': Lions sit in their cage on the estate of Ion Balint, a notorious gangster known to Romanians as "Nutzu the Pawnbroker," in Bucharest. Balint, who has been arrested on attempted murder and other charges, allegedly used the animals to threaten his victims. The lions are now in the custody of the Vier Pfoten animal charity.

Photo: Vadim Ghirda, Associated Press

A mobster's 'pets': Lions sit in their cage on the estate of Ion...

A mobster's 'pets': Lions sit in their cage on the... Photo-4257724.57533 - SFGate

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Ex-rays: Palestinian fishermen collect manta rays that washed up on the beach in Gaza City. It was not clear what killed the rays.

Plenty of plushies: Newtown, Conn., has so many stuffed animals sent in by well-wishers (62,000 and counting) that town officials have been sending some to the Aiken (S.C.) County Animal Shelter. The idea is for the teddy bears to keep puppies like Scooby company.

Photo: Teddy Kulmala, Associated Press

Plenty of plushies: Newtown, Conn., has so many stuffed animals...

Plenty of plushies: Newtown, Conn., has so many stuffed animals... Photo-4257769.57533 - SFGate

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In search of the perfect puff: A cigar aficionado lights up during the inauguration of the 15th Cigar Festival in Havana. Stogie enthusiasts from around the world have come to Cuba to visit tobacco farms, savor new brands and mingle with fellow cigar lovers.

What happens in Pearland, Texas, stays in Pearland, Texas: Despite being down to his last bone, Bear can't stop rolling craps with Tina Wood of the Friendswood Animal Advocates in Pearland, Texas. Friendswood will be hosting a casino night to benefit shelter animals like Bear.